Combination rod safety joint and tubing drain



Oct. 26, 1943;

.1. s. PAGE COMBINATION ROD SAFETY JOINT AND TUBING DRAIN 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 18 1941 I rm.

Oct. 26, 1943. J. s. PAGE 2,332,748

COMBINATION ROD SAFETY -CNT AND TUBINGDRAIN Fild Nov. 18, 1941 2 sheets-sheet 2 @iM/Lew Patented Oct. 26, 1943 unirse 4sm'fr'iifis mfr-enr omer.

lcoMBINA'rIoN non sninirizl Joiner AND' p TUBING DanniA i John SLPage, LongBeach, Calif. Application Novemberis, 194i, serial No. 419,556

` 13 claims. (o1. (10a-221i l This invention relates tofwell production 'equip ment and relates more particularlytoa combina"- tion sucker rod safetyjoint antitubing` drain. A general object of this invention is to'provide practical, effective and' dependable well production equipment ofj the character referredto which'materially facilitates the removal' and replacement of the wellpump'and suckerrods; j v

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination suckerjrodV safety joint and tultn'ngf drain which permits the Withdrawal ofa free pump-without the necessity of draining the tubing and which provides for the controlled or restricted drainingof the oil tnbingy when it becomesnecessary 'to remove the tubing to recover a ,sanded up pump; When thenecesfsity arises to remove a pump for replacementpor toy iish lout a broken sucker rod it has alwaysbeena former practice to merely pull `thepurnp `from its anchor'and `allow the long column of oil'standing vinthe tubing to suddenlymush back into the well. This sudden and forcible `returnfo a large volume ofjoir disturbs the oil'sands and the sudden reverse'oW, of the oilinto the formation often results'ina sustained or. even permanent reduction "in the rate of production when `pumpingfis resumed; The equipment of the present invention com. pletely` avoids the sudden uncontrolled dump'` ing of the 011 backinto the `weilandpermitsA thev pump to be pulled without disturbing the joil sands. In the present stateof the art a 'footl valve is frequently installed below thefpumpjso that the column of oill standing in the tubing 'will not be released "to rush back into the Wellwhenthe pump is removed. However, where a `foot valve ofthis kind isused andthe pumpbeco'mes sanded upfso that it cannot be removed itis impossible todrain the column ofl oil from .the tubingl audit is necessary to perform a wetfjpbfwhen` the tubing is removed. When-the'equipmentof the present invention'is employed va foot valve may be vinstalled below the pump` Sothataffree' pump may be removed'withoutreleasingthefcol umn of oil standing` in the tubing and equipment of the invention provides-for'thecontrolled draining of the oil columnfrom the tubing whenl it be-y comes necessary to withdraw the tubingjstring to removeasandedup pump. j

Another object of thisinvention is to 'provi-de equipment of' the character mentioned*'wriich` avoids the necessity of priming the new orfre placement pump following its installationiand"v which assures the operation of 'the' newv QyA 11e: l

placement pump in clean foil." When*:theequip,-VV ment of the present invention is employedit'he' new pump is lowered into clean oil standing inthe tubing and is therefore effectively lubricated and immediately primed, thus `preventing injury to thefrrew pump and eliminatinga time consuming priming operation. 1 i

Another object o'-this invention is to provide a combination sucker rod safety joint andptubing drainl which provides for the draining of the tubing without lifting or Vin any way. disturbing the tubing string.` Inaccordance with the present invention the tubingmay be drained by simple manipulation'of the sucker rod string, thus avoiding the' necessity of lifting the tubing which is liable to part or'fail `by reason of the great weight oithe oil Vcolumn standing in it.y

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination Vsucker rod safety `iointand ytubing drain which permitsthe rod joints to be screwed back or tightened Yfrom time to time withoutthe possibility or danger of releasing the safety joint. The pumping motion of thesuckerrod hasa tend# Iency to unscrew the rod jointsand it isa general practice to rotate the .sucker rod string to the right Yfrom time totimeto tighten up any jointsv a' combinationlsucker rod safety joint and tubing v drain that avoids thewet jobsusually accompanye ing the pulling of the tubing and rods. ,It has v been the general practicevvhen a pump has become stuck or sanded up to rotate the string of sucker rods to the left `from its upper end to unscrew oneYV of the' rod joints and then pull out the rod sections above the joint. containing the-column of oil is then hoisted up' anditsjontsare successively?disconnected at the grouhd surface until` the portion of the rod remaining in the tubing is made accessible.` The successive disconnection of` the tubing sections allowsthe oil in the sections to spill out at the surface".` When the upper end of the rod which remains in the tubing is accessible the rod is again rotated tol thev leftA to unthread 'as Vmuch of the rod as possible and the rodhportion thus freedis withdrawn; l These operations arev vrepeated until ard andmakes the work slow and dangerous.

The tubing Y string With the equipment of the present invention the tubing string may be drained before pulling the rod and the pump and there is never the necessity for a wet job.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination sucker rod safety joint and tubing drain in which the tubing drain does not embody slips or other casing engaging means. The drain section embodied in the invention is no larger in external diameter than the other joints of the tubing stringand, therefore, does not engage the casing or interfere with the free working of the tubing when the pumping operation is in practice. The drain section being no larger than the couplings of the tubing allows the tubing to be pulled through an oil saver under pressure.

Another object of this invention is to provide equipment of the character 4referred to that is positive and that will not release the rod from the pump or allow the oil to drain from the tubing except when the rod is intentionally manipulated for this purpose.

Another object of this invention is to provide equipment of the character referred to in which the safety joint positively transmits axial forces in both directions so that there is no slack or play in the string. y y

Another object of this invention is to provide equipment of the character referred to in which the tubing drain means does not obstructA or restrict the tubing and is not worn by the pumping motion of the sucker rod in the tubing.

A further object of this invention is to provide equipment of the character mentioned which is inexpensive to manufacture and install and which is convenient to operate.

The'various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the ac companying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a more or less diagrammatic view of the lapparatusl of this invention installed in the operative position in a well with the well pump in operation, the tubing string and tubing drain appearing in longitudinal cross section. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the parts following the release of the safety joint andillustrating the tubing drain being opened. Fig. 3l is an enlarged longitudinal detailed sectional view of the safety joint in the operative condition, that* is, in the condition where the pump is in operation. Fig. 4 is a view similarto Fig. 3 with a portion in elevation to illustrate the clutch parts :i

in engagement and showing the joint elements conditioned for the release of the joint. Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal detailed sectional view showing theblades of the safety joint assembly in engagement with the drain sleeve preparatory to opening the drain. .Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 6 6 on Fig. 3. Figs. 7 and 8 are enlarged transverse detailed sectional views taken as indicated by lines 'I-I and 8 8, respectively, on Fig.y 4 and Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective View of one of the blades.

The tools or equipment of ythe present inven- I tion may be said to comprise, generally, a drain means I0 connected in the tubing string T operable t'o` allow the fluid to drain from the tubing,

and to permit the free withdrawal of the major portion of the rod string.

The drain means I0 is interposed in the string of tubing T to provide for the draining of the oil or liquid from the tubing. In practice, the drain means I0 may be provided in the tubing T at anyA selected point. It is preferred to space the drain means I0 some distancey above the pump P where there will beno danger of the drain means becoming sanded up. In the preferred construction the drain means I0 'includes' an elongate, y

tubular coupling or body I3. One end ofthe body I3 may be threaded directly onto a section of the tubing T. In the construction illustrated the upper end of the body I3 is directly'screwed onto the lower end of a tubing section I4 and the lower.r

portion ofthe body I3 is screwed onto a sub I5 which in turn isthreaded to a lower tubing secy l tion lil. It is preferred to provide gaskets I6 be,

tween opposing shoulders of the body I3 and sub I5 to provide a tight seal between thevbodyand subn.-

Itis a feature of the invention that the external diameter of the body I3 need be no greater than` provided ,in` the Wall ofv the drain'section or The series of ports I'I is spaced be-4 tweenthe ends ofthe'body I3 and the ports are directed downwardly and outwardly so thaty body I3.

the iiuid discharged fromfthem does not blast againstthe. casing. There may be rany selected number of ports I'I of selected. capacity. In most instances it is preferred'to limit the aggregate capacity of the portsr I'I toY prevent a sudden or rapidfdischarge of the fluidQfromthe tubing.` It will ybe observed that the drain section or bodyy I3 'isla simple element readily connected -inthe string of V.tubing T between two adjacent tubing sectionsr I4 at any selected or required point along the string.

The drain means I0 further includes a sleeve l I8r for controlling or. closing the ports II.v The sleeve I8 shiftably or vslidably engages within thebody.l3.and isof substantial length. yThe inter-k nal diameter. of the sleeve I8 is preferably somewhat greater than the internal diameter-of the tubing sections I4 so Vthat there is little or no tendency for the sucker 4rodR to engage lthe sleeve as-'the rod reciprocates during the (pump,-

means II 'on the sucker rod String R operable to ingoperation. External annular grooves I9 are provided in the sleeve I8 adjacent its opposite ends., Flexible resilient sealing rings 20 are provided in the grooves I9 to seal with the internal surfaceof the body I3. sealing rings 20 are grooved to have lips 2| which are urgedinto effective sealing engagement with the linternal surface of the body vI3 by the nuid pressure. The sealing rings Zillare lspaced apart, to be above and `below the series of ports I 1 when the sleeve I8A isinits normal or closed vposition illustratedin Figs. 1 and 5. The engagementof' Y the sleeve i8 and its rings 2 Il'in the body I 3r isV such that thevsleeve will not shift or move until there is'the deliberate vapplication of force to move it. The sleeve I 8 isA adapted to beshifted downwardly to a `position where git"`en`gages against the. upper end of the sub I5 and when the sleeve. is in this po-sitionfthe ports' Il are clear or uncovered.

The means II is carried `by or associated with' the safety joint I2 andwhen conditioned .for op`-l` The outerends of the eration itis operable: to apply'tdowriward force to the sleeve l8- to movethe sleeve toan oben position where thefports ll are uncovered; The

means lli-is initiallyor normally held retracted' and inoperative by an'element of thesafetyjoint` R bythe tapered :pin Z22-referred to above, while the'flower` end of the `lower section V'B hasa talf and is not freed or released for-operation untili. v

the safetyjoint is' brokentorzdisconnected. l Thel safety joint l2 includes `upper and jlower body` sections A and B andthe means lil is carried by the upper joint section AA; The upper section A is provided -at its upper 'end with a vtapered threaded pin 2.2 and flat faces 23 to `facilitate its connection with thel adjacent `length of sucker rod R. The joint section Aqhas a transverse opening or slot 24 below the facesZI-iffor receiving or housing the means l l. l The slot Ellis elongated longitudinally of the safety: jointand jhasflat vertical sidewalls.

`free means ai inciuuesa pair of blades activ otally mounted in the slot 2d. ATheblades are severalfconnections in the sucker rod .string Rj are usually right hand'threadsiand in the present l(` vertically'disposed elements havingfiat vertical Y side faces.` The-.blades 25a-re arranged inside `by side relation with their inner surfaces in opposition and engagementfandl'with theirouterjsurfaces at orengaging the side walls ofthe slot 2a. The longitudinal edges of the-blades ,2er *are` per'ed'socket 35 for'receivingthe threaded'pin 35 ofa length of'sucker rod;A The sections A and B are elongate cylindrical members preferably 'of thefsamefexternal'diatneter. The threads Aof the disclosure `it will beassumed that the threads of the sucker rod string are allright hand threads.

Ay longitudinal opening 31 isprovided in the lower portion of theiupper 'section A and the lower's'ection B has a central longitudinal opening tsl which registers with the'lower end of `the opening 531i "The-opposing ends of the'joint'sectionsf A' and" B are provided with clutch partsA X-an'dfY, respectively; fa'dap'ted to engage or mesh forl the transmission of torque' andto prevent bodily turning of'the sucker rod string-R during certain lphasesfof the operations; as will `be later described. The clutch lparts X and Yl are'a'dapt ed tomesh one with theother to prevent relative I turning `between the-sections A and B in either Udirection; In accordance' with the invention" the ends orfcrests of? the clutch partsA and B are flat and adapted to bear one on the other to u prevent krelative axial movementbetween -thesectice, the .screw 2l may be threaded in the open-1` ing 26 at one side ofthe slot 24Y and mayhaveits head received in the opening 2E at the other side of the slot. The pin or screwY 2l. extending through the openingiit supports -theblades 125 Vfor free pivotal rnovelfnent'about` a horizontalairis.v

Means .ins provided to automatically swingfthe blades 25 outwardly and upwardly; Asbest illustrated inFlg. I9fthek inner sidejof each blade 25 vhas a socket t@ concentric with its. opening 23, and has a lateral slot 3l"j'oining' its socket rlhe sockets 3b of thetwoblades are in coi munication or registration'. A torsional .spring lill surrounds the pin orscrew 2l and is housed in the registering' soclretstii. The spring 32 has straight end parts 33 which engagefor bear 'in'.

the slots 3l to urge the blades 25 outwardly and upwardly. The arrangement of 'the blades 25 and spring 132 is such that the spring swings the blades from opposite sides of the joint section A, that is, one blade is swung from `one side of the section and the other blade iseswung from the other side of the section. The edges of the blades 25 are adapted toswing up againstthe flat jupper wall of the slot 2G and this wall stops the blades in positions where their lower edges are substantially horizontal and in la common plaine;` When the blades 25 are extended their rounded corners Eil face upwardly and serve to prevent theblades from catching in the tubing couplings when the string of sucker'rocl R is withdrawn from the tub ing, as will be later described.` u x y The safety joint l2 constitutes a `connection inI the sucker rod string R that remains connected tween the adjacent sectionsoif the rod -R at a selected point above thepunipl P. VThe Vupper tions vA and 'Bin onedirection "Inthe preferred construction th'ecrests `of the clutch parts A and Bare at and' horizontal fas villustrated through'` outithe drawings. Fig. 1 illustrates the manner in which the clutch parts Xfbearson the clutch partsY for` the transmission of downward force from thesectio'n A to thesection B;

:The safety' joint l2 further includes an 'inner section or innermernber C'. The inner member C` is :slidably and tiirnably `received. in the opening ifof` the lower'sectionB. An" enlarged head lliliiisfprovide'd' on thelow'er end of thernember l C tov slidably engagen the enlarged lower por; tionof. theopenin'g'.: The wall of the opening 35i hasian annular shoulder lll facing downwardly to loppose the upper end of the head All.' The f member Ciextends upwardly Vfrom the lower joint section Bandits VAupper portion constitutes a stem .t2 which is threaded in the opening El of the upper joint section'A; The Ithreads 43 on the wllo'f theopening 3l vandthe stemdZ are left hand threads, :that `fis, theyare pitched in the opposite directionv to `the threads.` of the other joints in the sucker'rodstring R. The relationship'of the parts is such that the upper" end of' the headlflll is in cooperation with the shoulder 'dit when the. crests 'fofA the clutch parts X and Y are in engagement. The engaging crests of the 'clutch parts "X `and Y 'are operable to transmit gaging the shoulder lljisfopera'ole lto transmit upwardfforce' from 'the section `A to the section B." Thun' whent-he parts' are' in the position illustrated in Fig.. 1 ofthef drawings, the safety kjoint is capable of positively transmitting axial forcein both directions. v

,The'stem 42 ofthe 'member C carries an exj ytensionor pinel for controlling .the blades 25 of themeans il. Thepin ld may be threaded in an opening in the "upper part of the stem i2 or may be otherwise lxedto the stem. The re ducedpin 44 extends or-'passe's upwardlythrough an opening Alle in the section A to project into the slot 24. The lower or outer portion of each blade 25-has a socket .orig'roove $5. The grooves 1 65 are openrat theinner faces of the blades 25 section-A is. 'connected in thersucker `rod. string when the blades'are retracted the grooves45 register to form an opening for receiving the pin` 44. The engagement of the pin 44 in the grooves 45 dependably holds the blades 25 in the retracted positions where they are entirely -vwithinv the` slot 24.V .A

The'inner member Cof the safety joint is, con nected with the lower section B for limited relative turning to permit or provide for the meshing engagement and disengagement of the clutch. parts X and Y. The enlargement or-head 40 ,of the inner member C has a circumferential groove t. The circumferential extent of thegroove 4B is considerably greater than the circumferential extent of anyone of the clutch parts X and which latter are equal -in width, and the height` of the groove 4B is considerably greater than the height of the individual clutch parts XandY.. A` stop pin 41is xed to the section Band extends into the groove 45.1r In practice, the `pin 41 may be xed in an opening in the wall of the section B. l When the crests vof'the clutch parts X and Y are in engagement, as in Fig. y1 of the drawings, the `pin 411s received in the forward end of the groove 45, relativev to the right hand direction of rotatiomand is `in the lower portion of the groove.

Yielding spring means 48 is provided to urge the memberA C- to the position where Ythe crests of the clutch parts X'and Y will engage when. the section A israised relative to the section B. A coiled torsional spring 49 is provided in 'the` opening 38 below thehead 4%?. .The spring 49 has a tail 5i! set in an opening in thepin 36 and has a tail I on its .other end received in any opening in the lower end of the head 40. The spring 49 is under a torsional strain to'urgethe member C to turn to the right. or in a clockwise direction relative to the section B. -The spring 18 may be adjusted or set to exert substantial force on the member C so that the crests ofthe teeth are automatically brought intoocoperation when the section A is raised with respect to the section B.

The combination tubing drain and safety joint may be employed in association with well'pumps of various kinds. In Figs. 1 and 2 of the'draw'- ings I have illustrated in a diagrammatic manner theequipment employed with a typical well pump of the standing barreland working plunger type. The pump P includes the barrel 52 removablyfixed by an anchor 53 engaged in a shoe 54' on the lower end of the tubing string T. The plunger 55 of the pump is secured to the lower end of the sucker rod' string R to be reciprocated thereby. In the case illustrated, the plunger 55 is directly connected with the section B of the safety joint, it being understood that in many instances the safety joint would be spaced above the pump plunger. A foot valve V is installed below the pump P to prevent the column' of oil standing in the tubing from rushing back into the well when the pump P is removed.v

Well pumps usually embody means for clutchthe barrel and plunger against relative rotation so that the threaded joints 'of the sucker rod string R may be tightened or screwed'up from time to time. In the particular case illustrated the upper end of the plunger 55 carries clutch parts videdV by this invention the'coupling orbody I3'A of-Athe drainmeans l0 isl connected inthe string of tubingT at the selected point before the tub-V ing isrun into the well'. In aflike'manner they safety joint l2 carrying the means I l is connectedv in thesucker rod string R when the same" is,

made up and runinto the Well with' the pump" thereon. "The safety joint-and the means l2 are assembled to have the parts in the Ycondition illustrated in Figsl, 3 and 4'of the drawings]v The string of tubing-T andthe sucker rod string R are run into the well in the usual manner. During the pumping operation the"A sucker rod string R; is reciprocated yand the oil is pumped; up through the tubing T in the well known man-lf' ner. It is tobe understood that during the pumping operationthepump barrel 5 2 remains anchored and the sleeve I8 of the drainmeansI it remains in the closedposition. During 'the pumping operation theparts of the safety jointf l2 are inthe positions illustrated in Fig. 1,`th e`v clutch parts X having their crests restingfuponv4 the tops of the clutch partsY and the upper end of the head 40 being engaged with the shoulder 4l. These relationships provide for the.' positive transmission of'axialmotion in both 'directions without play or slack.` The torsional spring 49 serves to maintain the crests of they clutch parts X and Y in' engagement. v f

The prolonged reciprocation rofthe sucker. rod

string R Aoften tends to unthre'ad'v 'or loosen ther threaded joints ofA the rod. Accordingly, itlis vdesirable from timetotime 'to screw uplthe rod joints. To accomplish this the reciprocation of the sucker rod R is stopped and the rod is allowed to settle slightly and is turned lto the right. `A

vpartial turn of the joint section A to `the right` relative to the joint section Biengages the clutch.

.parts vX with the clutch parts Y, that is, the n clutch parts aremade to mesh one Aj rith the other.

The weight maintained on ythe sucker rod-manif` tains the clutchv parts X and Y in meshingen'-,

gage'ment and likewise maintains the clutchparts i y h6 and 511 inclutching engagement. Accordingly,

the string of sucker rod R is held against turning from its lower end by reasony of the pump anchor, v the clutch parts 5G, and 5'l and theclutch parts X and Y. The sucker rod string Ris turned to the right at the ground surfaceto tightenvor4 screw up the threaded connections of the rod string. When this has been done thesucker rod string Ris raised and the torque or turning force exerted by the spring produces relative turningr between the sections'A and B to bring the crests of the clutch parts X and Y into cooperation so that the equipment is again in condition for the t pumping operation. In this connectionitwill be observed that the engagement of the upper end of the head 4l! withthe shoulder 4I stops or positions the section A where` the crests of its Clutch parts X will automatically engagev the crests of the clutch parts Y betweenrthe relaltive turning between theV sections A and B.l v

Afterextended operation ofthe pump P the pump may become worn so thatits eiciency is .impaired to the extent that itis necessary .to

withdraw the pump. The pump P is pulled free from its shoe -54 -and the rod R and pump-P are withdrawn from the Well. The valve'V retains 1 the column of oil inthe tubing T and the vnew' or replacement pump may be seated in the shoe 54 to be primed and commence operation inthe clean oil retained inthe tubing. v Very frequently a pump will becomesandedup l so athat it cannot be pulled free. :Whenthisbcl cursl the sucker rod string VR- is allowed to settle sufliciently to bring the pump clutch lpartsf and 51 into engagement and the ysuckerrofd-is turned a short distance to the right tobring the clutch parts X and 4Y into mesh. This yslight, turning Y the string of sucker rod R. In practice, the upper end of the rod R maybeturned several times to the right. i The l`suckerrod string R,l is then raised -to move the Iclutch'parts 'Xand'Y out ofmesh. i

vv'vfhen the clutch parts X and vY move out of mesh thetorque imposed on the string',A as above described, causes the section A-to-suddenlyturn with respect tothesection B. During therst stage of this `sudden-.turning movement the vrear wall `of the groove lit is `forcibly-broughtagainst the stop .pintland the .resultant jar or sudden stopping of the member vC vvcauses thethreads to break orfree tlieinselvesf.` rIhe memberC risl engagement of the pin il with the rearwallfof be `entirely or substantially entirely unscrewed when the-clutchY parts are disengaged.l In any case, thersucler rod `stringxR maybe rotated to the right from its rupper end to complete unscrewing of thethreadslli. .The .sucker `rodfstringR is then raised. IThis completes the` disengagement of thesection A from the section B and ini-mediately upon the pin 44 being. disengaged lfrom the biades 25 the spring-32 swingslthe blades outwardly. i f

Following the release.vofgthe'lvsafetyjointy I2` the Vsucker-rod string R `is raised a; sufiicient distance tobring the-bladesv Z5 to la point-above the sleeve` I8. In this connection'it will be ob-` served that the rounded cornersd of theblades 25 allow the blades rto'moveupt'varolly through the tubing 'I' and sleeve lwith a minimum of interference.

rod string R is moved downwardly or spuddedr to bring the lower edgesrof the bladesaZ' into engagement with the top-ofthe vsleeve land to cause the sleeve to move downwardly. The sleeve i8 is moved downwardlywto a position :where it is clear of the ports il. R isthen Iwithdrawn from manner. i. A

Duringy the withdrawalrof ,thesucker rod string R the column of oil standing in thettubing1A is free. to drainlout through ;the ports Il. As above described, the ports llimaybe ,proportioned so that thedischarge of the oil from the string is controlled or 'restricted to such 'anexthe well inthe usual in the well. In most instances, by the time the sucker rod string R, `has, been pulled `from vthe -v tubing T the oil willhave drained from the tubing.

from thel well. In this connection it is tov be observed that the drain means `Iii does not havev gripping engagement with the well casing and When` `theyyblade's 125 vhave been moved to a point above thegsl'eeve IS the sucker The1 sucker 'rod string The string of tubing T is then withdrawn.v

Vdoes not interfere with' thefree pulling of the tubing; luther,v itl-should b e observed.v that the body i3 of `thedrainf-means no larger lin diameter thanthefcouplings of thetubin'gstring so 5 "that fit'may loe-pulled through 'an oil saver if'this sriece'ssary." The tubing T is withdrawn dry'f that is, the column lo'fuid' is drained from `the tubing prior to" the pullin'gof the same andthe tubing is relieved 'of theweight of the standing l0lcolumn. There `is no oilfspilled at the ground surfacefand there `is no danger-*ofthe tubing parting'by reason oftlie 'weight-,bf a contained columnof oil;r

fand application of my invention I do not `wish to ybe .limited orfrestricted: to the Specific `details v herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself ...anyrvariations or` modifications that may appeartofthose-"skilled in thel art or fall Withi 'ffgO-thelscope of the following claims. v

:Having described my invention, I claim:

. 1. Incombination, a'well tubing, a" normally Vclosed drain means-'interposed in thetubing, a

pump operating string extending through the.

i tubing; AaV releasable joint in ythe pump operating string,` and means madeoperative upon the release of saidjointv for openiri'githeA drain means.`

d 2.y Apparatus for use withawell tubing and a 'pump operating string v.which extends through oithertubing; 'the apparatus inelu'ding''a` normally "closed drain means vfor-the tubing adaptedto be opened to .all'owfluid todrai'nirom the tubing,

:a releasable 4jointjinterposed -in the-pump'operating string releasable byrnanipulation of the :.35 string to` allow withdrawalio'f` aportio'nof the string, .and meanson saidportien of" the string for openingLthe drain means made' eiiective only upon'the release of-said joint. 1: 1,.

3. Apparatusfor usewitha well tuloingand` a pumppperating string whichextends through the tubing,y the apparatus including a normally `closedydrain means for i thetubingadapted to A Withdrawal ofav vportion off-'the string,'and. a`

projectable blade` operatively connected with said .jointt operable when projectedto open said drain means and projectableonlyupon the release of the joint. 1 y 4. Apparatus lforuse with a well tubing and a the tubingfthe apparatus including anormally closed drain; means Afor the` tubing adapted to n be opened `to: .allowlifluidgto drain from theitubing, a releasalole jointinterposedyin the pump operating string releasable` by manipulation of 5.V Well production equipment *comprising f welltubinglhaving-adrain port, a pump carried by `the tubing `and Yaypurnp -operating jstring ex-` tending into the tubing, the equipment being characterized by a vpart normally closing the port and movable to a position where` the port is open, a joint connecting portions of the pump operating string releasable by manipulation of ther'string, means on one oi' said string portions operable to engage and move said part, and means for lholding the last named means retracted and freeing said last-named means upon the release o f the joint.

`pump operating` string which extends through l the string to allow withdrawal of a por-tion of `6. Well production equipment` comprising ja ,well tubing-having a drain port, ak pumps-carried by' the tubing, and a-,pumpoperating stringexvtending into the tubing, lthe equipment being characterized by` a part normally closing the port and movable to a position where the port is open, a joint connecting portions of the pump operating string releasable by manipulation Aof vthe string, a member` projectable fromthe portion of the string-above saidjoint operable toV engage and move said part to the position where the port is open, and means normallyfholding the member retracted released uponv the release ofthe joint. v f

7. Well production equipment comprising a well tubing having a drain port, a'purnp carried ,by the tubing, anda pump operating string exsc lutch partson the sections engag'ealilejto pre- Cfr tending into the tubing, the :equipment being characterized by a sleeve in thetubing closing said port and movable to aposition where the` port is open, a jointl interposed in the string releasable to allow withdrawal of the main portion y of the string, a vmember projectable from said portion of the string andA operable .to engage and move said sleeve, and means forholding the mem--r ber retracted and released to allow projection of the member upon the release of said joint.

vent relative turning between thev sections and disengageable by the relativemovement between the sections permitted bysaidI means, `the vcrests of the clutch parts b eing engageable for the l transmission of axial movement between the secv the string, a memberssreleasably screw` threaded with one section, means connecting the, member with the other sectionior-zlimitedrelative turning and limited relative longitudinal movement, clutchparts on the sections adapted to mesh for the transmission of turningforcesin both directions and movable outoi .mesh bythe limited relative axial ymovement of the sections allowed by said means, thelorests of the clutch parts being engageable by relative turning ofthe sec'-` tions for the transmission of axial movement between the sections. in'one Adirection when said means yis operableto transmit `axial movement between the sections in the other direction, and

, ,8. Well production equipment comprising af tending into the tubing,.the equipmentA being characterized bya sleeve ,in the tubing Aclosingsaid port and movable to a position'where the port is open, a joint interposed in the string releasable to allow withdrawalofthe main portion kof the string, a member. projectable from said portion of thestring and, operable `toengage and move said sleeve, spring meanstending to project .the member, and y(means `for holding the member retracted and released to allow-projecv tion of the member upon the release of said joint.

9. Well production equipment.y including a pump operating string comprising a multiplicity, of screw threaded parts, and a safety joint for thestring comprising. two sections'to be interposed in the string, screw threads on the sections for securing the sections to spaced parts of the string, a member releasably screw threaded with one section, means connecting said member with the other section for limited relative turning and limited relative longitudinal movement, and

, well tubing having `a drain port, a pump carried by the tubing, and a pump operating string exclutchparts on thefsections engageable tofpre`` vent relative turning between the sections and disengageable by the relative movementbetween the sections 'permittedby said means.

. 10. Well production' equipment including a pump operating string comprising a multiplicity s spring means tending to turn' one section relative to theother to bring said crestsinto engagement. s '12. A safety joint. for va pump operating string comprised of lengths connected by screwthreaded joints, the safety jointyincluding two sections interposed in thestring and connected kwith adjacent lengths of 'the string/a member received in the two sections, screw threads releasably'connecting the member with one section, said threads being pitched in the opposite' direction4 to the threads of'said joints, means limiting axial and turning movement between said member andthe other section, clutch parts on the sectionsengageable upon relative axial and turning movement between the sections as allowed by said means and operable to transmitturning vforces vbetween the gage the clutch parts so that torque built 'up in the string while the clutch parts are in mesh may. suddenly turn the 'member a short distance and produce a jarring ,actionl to free said screw threads for easy unthre'ading.

.13. Well production, equipment comprising well tubing having .a-drain port, a pump carried by'the tubing, andapump operating string ex. tending into the tubing, the equipment being characterized bya sleeve in the tubingclosing said port and movable to a position where the port is open, a joint interposed in the string releasable toallow withdrawal of the main portion of the string, a pair of blades projectable fromi said portion ofthe string and operable lwhen projected to engage and move said sleeve, a pin on the vlower portion of the ystring holding they v l 

